The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-12-01
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
BOTH HOUSES COME DOWN TO WORK
AND BUSINESS.


duced, and VariOusly Disposed OF.
COLUMBIA, November 26.-The Le2is-
islature of South Carolina is large body,
but it doesn't tako long for it to come
together when the law commands. On
Monday there were few signs of the ap-
proaching session, until the evening
trains brought numbers of Senator'S and
Representatives Tho arrivals continued
till just before the hour for meeting, and
by that time there Wero few members of
either branch who were not ready for the
rcll-call. Everybody very naturally
wended his way to
THE STATE HOUSE
which, by authority Of the Legislature,
has been improved and refttCd in q
manner at once handsome and substan-
tial. Its present condition and arrange
mont are in marked contrast with those
of former and recent years. Since 1876
the man who entered that hall and re-
manned in it day and night throughout
the session, did so MT TIE risk Of his ljfe
Huge gaps in the ceilings, loose window
sashes and broken paucs Of glass gave
entrance to death-dealing draughts,
which brought pneumonia and consump-
tlOn to those who were exposed to their
influence. The four old stoves which
formed tho basis Of the Asher Palmer
claim, and which occupied much Of the
valuable time of the House and Senate,
were kept warm only by an army of
pages, attaches and half-frozen Evrro.
sentatives, who bad to hug them III order
to thaw out their frozen limbs. All this
has been changed, and tho Legislative
halls of South Carolina are now what
they should be.
Major John d. Brown, the sergeant
alarms of the House, has been here for
month or more experimenting the ar
rnngements for the comfort OF the mem
bers, and Colonel L. r. Marshall, the
sergeant .at-erms Of the Senate, has also
been at work. 1t is somewhat 4 li1ult
to give one an idea of the improvements
that have been made. The hall Of The
House OF Representatives. is a pictur>, in
very bright colorS, OF that III the NuGon-
al Capitol. 1t is surrounded with gale
ries, which will afford ample accommo-
dation for visitors and which will besides
give tho members moro room than they
have ever had. The marble floor is
covered with art squares; the walls are
In light shade OF terra Gotta with neat
panelling and dado of light crCam-
colored polished tiles, bordercd with
bronze, cherry and gold. TAe Gal;ory
rails are of brass, and the supports in
cherry and gold. The Speakers desk is
Of cherry, with retiring room in the
rear of cherry and gold.
The decorations Of tho ceilings arc
worry rich blue and gold being the pre-
vailing colors of the pQpels. The por-
traits of Hampton and Gordon are hung
just above the Speakers desk.
In the Senate Chamber the impr0vc-
ments are equally marked. The prevail
ing shades here arc of Nile green and
olive richly traced with gold The
Pre.ident's desk is of walnut and above
it hugs life-size portrait Of Calhoun.
Ihe heating arrangements, however,
are the most important. Hhe entire
building is heated by two batteries Of
three boilers each, one located in the
east and one In the west basement Of the
building. From these boilers run hues,
pipes, &c., which send the hot air to the
radiators in the different portions of tue
building. Each boiler furnishes its quota
of heat with but five pounds of steam,
and each is so arranged that it automati-
cally stops tho pressure Of steam at any
given amount. The result is pure com
fort for everybody in the building
comfort that should carry conviction to
the mind of every lawmaker in the State
and secure an appropriation sufficient to
completely finish the State House.
AT WORK.
The Senate was convened without any
<,eremony-Lieut.-G Gov. Mauldin simply
calling the body to order. The usual
committee waited on the Governor to in.
form him that the Senate was organized.
Shortly after this, the annual message OF
his Excellency was presented, and read
by the clerk.
At noon, the constitutional hour Clerk
Sloan called the House to order and
proceeded to call the roll by counties
A quorum was announced to be present,
whereupon Speaker Simons assumed the
chair and spoke as follows, after the
opening prayer had been delivered by
the Rev. j. n. Young, of AbbcVille:
"Gentlemen OF the House Of Repre-
sentatives On reassembling to exercise
the important functions entrusted tx
you, to legislate for your fellow-citizens
whatever different views you m0y indi
vidually entertain as to particular moas
ures, am persuaded that each one o.
you approaches the task animated by
the single purpose Of striving to promote
the honor and welfare of the ST. te, tx
advance the happiness and prosperity 0
her people.
"Permit me to express the hope thu
the success of your labors shall be com
mensurate with the patriotism will
which am sure they will be inspired.
"Since your last meeting Mr.. l.. b
O'Bryan, q member from BarnweIl, ha
departed this life. For several years
Representative of the people of his coun
ty, in his personal intercourse a gontIc
man courteous and considerate, in tn
discharge of his public duty a membo
conscientious and faithful. 1 am con
vinced the announcement of his decca8
will be received with sorrow.
"Mr. 2. IL. Nelson, a member from
Kershaw, having accepted n disquaIify
ing Office, communicated to me hi
resignation.
pursuant to Section 20, Article II
of the Constitution of the State as con
strued by the invariablo practice of thi
House, Issued writs of election to fl
the vacancies thus Occasionod.
"Trusting that the harmony an
courtesy which have always cOnspicu